Need for Speed Most Wanted

"Not the best"

First, let me explain why I gave this game such a low score. I've owned every Need for Speed game, with the exception to the Porsche challenge. I also have owned, or do own, SRS, Midnight Club series, Juiced, and other related racing games. I am a huge fan of racing games. This is the worst game out of the series. Not that it is not cool. It is very cool. But I'll explain under the gameplay section of this review

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics are decent. It takes some getting used to, especially if you are used to playing the underground games, since this game takes place in the sunlight. This is most apparent when you are exiting tunnels and are blinded by the sun. It can make for some interesting racing to say the least. One cool thing is that you can actually break stuff inside buildings and along college campuses. This can be quite entertaining, as well as rack up some good costs to the state. But overall, the graphics are pretty good. It can turn kind of foggy while hitting the NOS, or if too much is happening on the screen. But it does not really affect the game play. As well, the way they did the story is pretty amazing. They put real people in front of a green screen, then incorporated that into the game. It adds a touch of reality to it, besides using cartoon characters as in games past.

Gameplay: 4/10
Let me explain. It's not a bad game to play. Kinda fun once you get used to it. But there are many flaws, which I could not get over. First and foremost, the rubberband effect. You know, that thing that happens when you hit a traffic car, and it becomes stuck to your front bumper, making it impossible to get around the car. This happens....a lot....in this game. On top of that, the cars that you race in this game are like battleships. If you try to hit one, or if they hit you, your car will be the one spinning out. Of course, they stay straight. Another thing I cannot get over is the fact that if a rival car, or a car you are racing against, hits a traffic car, they are not slowed down a bit. Of course, if you hit a traffic car, you'll more than likely spin out. Another thing I don't really understand, and which makes this game stupid difficult, is the fact that hitting one spike on a spike strip, with one tire, will cause your car to stop and you will get busted while in a pursuit. Also, if you try to restart your car, say, if you have busted a tire, you will be busted. Even if cops are no where near you. Another awesome thing is when you get your heat high enough, you will be chased by corvettes. These corvettes are the baddest cars ever built apparently, because all they have to do is get in front of you, hit the brake, and your car is going to stop. There is no forcing your way past them. They must have 22-in. brakes. To stop a car completely, from driving over 120 mph, takes big brakes. These flaws are deal-able until the very end of the game, when in a certain pursuit (I wont ruin it for anyone), you will probably need to try it close to 100 times to beat it. Yeah, its ridiculous. To me, thats not very fun. I understand this game is not supposed to be realistic, but at the same rate, making the game in this fashion does not make for a fun game. As well, there are fewer customizations you can do with your car this time around. Instead of separate bumpers and side skirts, you choose from 5 body kits. That's it. As well, you can only apply one vinyl, instead of being able to layer them as in the underground games.

Sound: 8/10
The sounds are pretty awesome in this game. The cars sound beautiful. The soundtrack is decent. I like it because there are bands on there that most people have not heard of, and its more hardcore stuff than rap stuff. Overall, it makes you want to drive. Which is the purpose of the game anyway. The cops sound real, especially over the radio while they try to track you down.

Rent or Buy: Rent First
I would say rent it. Having known what I know now about the cops and how the overall game plays, I would not have dropped 50 bucks to buy this game. I could have spent my money on better things. Instead, I'm now stuck with a game that I don't think I'll play again. Don't get me wrong. I love racing games, and I have loved the whole Need for Speed series since it emerged, but this game just took things a little to far for my taste.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 01/19/06